Swing check for signs



Feb, 11, 1936, A LIPPOLD 2,@3@,37

SWING CHECK FOR SIGNS Filed July 51, 1955 V Inverz 2' 0? Fredemz'lrA Lz b vold Patented Feb. 11, 1936 PATENT OFFICE SWING CHECK FOR SIGNS Frederick A. Lippold, Chicago, Ill.,- assignor to Reliance Advertising Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July 31,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to retaining means for advertising signs to restrain and limit the motion of the sign, under wind pressure, around its axis of suspension.

The objects of the invention are to provide a resilient check for pivoted signs arranged to permit substantially free motion of the sign within limits under wind pressure, but to check the motion with resilient cumulative resistance up to a final limit stop, which is, for example, approximately 60 from the vertical and suflicient to prevent the sign from striking the customary lighting equipment and reflector.

The class of signs to which this invention di rectly relates is that in which the signs are suspended from a horizontal support, the supports having laterally extending lighting and reflecting means for the sign and which have heretofore been subject to damage in winds of high velocity, due to the sign striking the reflectors.

The signs are also injured particularly by the cracking of the enamel thereon, either through contact with the reflector or because of undue wracking of the sign. The improved check serves to allow a desirable freedom of action of the sign under the wind pressure so that the sign and its support need not resist the full possible force of the wind. The check serves to cushion the motion of the sign and is also a restraining and tensioning means having the function of reducing the free play which causes a sign to rattle.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by means of a construction as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a face view of a sign provided with the improved construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the sign.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the swing check.

Fig. 4 is a detail showing the form of attachment employed whereby the end of the check is secured to the sign frame channel.

A preferred construction for carrying out the purpose of the invention as above outlined is a reciprocating tube and plunger connection between the vertical supporting pole of the sign and the sign frame. A tube encloses the coil spring for providing resistance to extension of the check unit when the sign swings upon its support.

The construction as illustrated in the drawing is old in respect to the construction of the sign, its suspension means and general supporting structure, including the reflector arrangement, but there is now combined therewith the improved resilient swing checking means.

1935, Serial No. 33,99?

The panel I of the sign is carried in a V- channel frame consisting of the parts 2 and 3 which are bolted together at 4 and 5. The bolts pass through links 6 which serve as a pivot suspension means cqnnecting the sign frame with 5 eye-bolts l passing through the tubular supporting arm 8 for the sign and which extends horizontally from the vertical pole 9, through which it passes and with which it is connected by the tension elements It).

Lamp and reflector supporting means are provided by arms II and [2 carried by the fitting [3 which is clamped to the metal portion of support 8. Lamps in the reflectors M at the ends of arms II have sockets which are connected to conduc- 15 tors which pass through the tubular supports 8 and down the hollow pole 9.

The swing check as shown by Fig. 3 includes a tube l5 which is connected at one end by means of a clip l6 welded thereto with a U-clip I! which is 20 welded to one element of a clamp 18, forming a fixed attachment to pole 9. A disc I9 closes one end of spring receiving tube l5 and the opposite end thereof is closed by a cap 20 having threaded engagement with the tube but centrally perfo- 25 rated to allow for the passage of rod 2|, which rod carries at one end a plunger or spring engaging head 22 and at the opposite end is curled into an eye 23 and welded together after a strap iron clamp 24 is placed thereon. 30

The clamp 24 as indicated in Fig. 4 connects the end of the rod 2| with the metal of the lower section of frame member 2.

The spring 25 which is enclosed by tube l 5 and surrounds the rod 2| is of such length as to allow 35 some fairly free swinging motion of the sign up to nearly 30 degrees each way from its normal central position. From thirty degrees up to approximately sixty degrees the spring adds cumulative resistance in addition to the Weight of the sign 40 against wind pressure. At about sixty degrees the spring is completely compressed and serves as a positive stop to prevent the sign from striking one of the reflectors l 4. This is substantially all there is to the operation of the movable parts 45 of the structure, but it may be noted that as the eifect of the wind pressure lessens due to the arc of movement of the sign toward a horizontal position, the extensible check swings both upwardly around its pivot connection with pole 9 and 50 around the axis of the pole. Therefore there is considerable reduction in length of the spring for the number of degrees of swing of the sign. The spring is compressed as the check device as a whole lengthens due to its telescopic action.

The arrangement on the whole serves as a tensioning means having the effect of lessening rattling at the link suspension means.

The construction may be used upside down, and the claims are intended to cover such arrangement.

I claim:

1. A suspended sign arrangement consisting of a sign, a horizontal support for the sign and a pivotal connection between the sign and support, said horizontal supporting element being attached to a vertical supporting element, and a swing check connecting said vertical supporting element with the sign at a point remote from the pivotal connection, said swing check including a relatively reciprocating tube. and plunger.

2. A suspended sign arrangement consisting of a sign, a horizontal support for the sign and a pivotal connection between the sign and support, said horizontal supporting element being attached to a. vertical supporting element, and a swing check connecting said vertical supporting element with the sign at a point remote from the pivotal connection, said swing check including relatively reciprocating members and a resistance spring.

3. A suspended sign. arrangement consisting of a sign, a horizontal support for the sign and a pivotal connection between the; sign and support, said horizontal support being attached to a vertical supporting element and a swing check connecting said vertical supporting element with the sign at a point remote from the pivotal connection, said swing check including relatively reciprocating members and a resistance spring, said spring and relatively reciprocating members being arranged to allow substantially free motion of said relatively reciprocating members before the motion is resisted by the spring.

FREDERICK A. LIPPOLD. 

